The board is expected to vote tonight on whether to send the bills to the state for review.

Cartwright said he nearly made the same proposal at the last school board meeting, but the board decided to send the matter back to the committee.

Spry said the firm's retainer covers attendance at board meetings and making calls to administrators or board members. The retainer doesn't cover followup work on employee medical leave matters or other litigation.

School Director Toni Lynch suggested looking back further than two years, but Cameron said that would require an unnecessary and large time commitment from the law firm and the district.

"It's a fair period to look back," he said. "Unless they come and tell us otherwise."

Business Manager Steve Wiencek said it would take probably a day's work to prepare the bills, depending on the auditor general's needs. He said this would be his first time sending something to the auditor general during his more than 30-year career.

Wiencek said the auditor general could provide an independent and objective review of the bills.

According to the bills, the district paid the law firm $171,000 during the 2012-13 school year and $188,000 during the 2011-12 school year. As of May this school year, the district paid the law firm $75,000, according to the bills.

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IF YOU GO

The Bangor Area School Board meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the administrative building, 123 Five Points Richmond Road in Upper Mount Bethel Township.